Former Labor minister Lynne Kosky dies at 56

By Staff reporters

Updated4 December 2014 — 2:24pmfirst published at 8:38am

Former Victorian Labor minister Lynne Kosky has died after a long illness. She was 56.

Ms Kosky, the transport minister in the Brumby government, died at her Williamstown home early on Thursday with her family by her side. She is survived by her husband Jim Williamson and daughter Hana and son Jackson.

Lynne Kosky in 2010.

News of her death came as Daniel Andrews and his cabinet gathered at Government House to be sworn in.

Fairfax Media understands Ms Kosky, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, was determined to celebrate her eldest daughter's recent 21st birthday, and see in Saturday's election, in which her former ministerial colleague Daniel Andrews swept the Liberals from power after one term.

Lynne Kosky in a more recent photograph.

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Ms Kosky's long career in public life led to senior ministerial posts in the Bracks and Brumby Labor governments. In 1999 she was first appointed as Minister for Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment. She went on to hold the Ministries of Finance, Education, Public Transport and Arts.

She was first elected to Parliament in 1996 in the Legislative Assembly seat of Altona, which she held until her resignation from parliament in January 2010.

The newly instated Premier Andrews reflected on Ms Kosky's "great legacy" and "very special contribution" to Victoria and Labor.

He said he visited his "dear friend and trusted colleague" Ms Kosky six weeks ago, just before the state election campaign began.

"We knew that she did not have long and I take great comfort for the fact that she hung on until after Labor secured an historic victory on Saturday night," he said.

"I say that humbly because I know that the Labor Party was such a big and important part of Lynne's life."

In a bittersweet moment for Labor, Mr Andrews passed on his condolences to Ms Kosky's family moments after being sworn in as Premier.

"May all those who feel the pain of her passing be comforted in the knowledge that she did such great work and was such a great person," he said.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten released a statement remembering Ms Kosky's "stunning contribution" to public life.

He said Ms Kosky had dedicated herself to raising awareness of breast cancer through her illness, which was "a true testament to her strength of character, her sense of public service and her generosity to others".

"As a minister she was deeply commitment to modernising Victoria's education and training system to deliver greater opportunity," he said.

"Lynne Kosky will also be remembered for her dedication to the promotion of women in Labor and throughout our nation's parliaments. And there has been no more committed advocate for the people of Melbourne's west than Lynne Kosky."

Former premier Steve Bracks said Ms Kosky would be sorely missed, paying tribute to her as an "extremely competent and able" minister whose passion was serving Melbourne's west.

"I think all of us who have worked with her and served with her are mourning today," he told ABC Radio.

"She was a great person, a great community leader and someone who has given a great contribution to the state of Victoria."

He said Ms Kosky had been watching the election results on Saturday night and communicating with Daniel Andrews.

"I think that was probably one of the motivating factors to stay there to see the return of the Labor government in Victoria," Mr Bracks said.

Ms Kosky's former Labor MP colleagues began paying their respects on social media Thursday morning.

Lyndhurst MP Martin Pakula said it was "very sad to hear of the passing of my dear friend Lynne Kosky".

"What a massive contribution you made to Victoria. Condolences to Jim & family," he tweeted.

Albert Park MP Martin Foley said Ms Kosky was a "fighter for justice and decency for Victorians".

Before entering parliament, Ms Kosky worked as a community education officer, a youth policy officer and manager of community liaison for the Melbourne Olympic bid. She was elected to the Footscray Council for four years from 1986 and, later, became mayor.

Ms Kosky joined the board of the Footscray Football Club, now the Western Bulldogs, in 1990 after the large community campaign to save the club.

Ministerial colleague and close friend Peter Batchelor paid tribute to Ms Kosky's public service and commitment to the arts.

"Lynne was a gifted artist herself," he said. "She created exquisite jewellery pieces from precious metals."